What is this program?

The goal for this program is to give Virginia 4-H High School students an opportunity to travel to a Spanish speaking, developing country to interact with their peers. While there for a week, the 4-H'ers work with local Dominican teen partners to conduct an environmental 4-H Day Camp for Dominican children, learn about Dominican culture and food and conduct at least one service project in the local community.

We offer this 4-H program in partnership with the PuntaCana Center for Sustainability and Biodiversity at the PuntaCana Ecological Foundation, of which Virginia Tech is a research partner. We began this program in 2006.  During 2007, it received the National World Citizenship in 4-H Youth Development Award from the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents.  The current program is in it's 13th year and involves 9 4-H teens and 3 adults from Shenandoah, Alleghany, Fairfax and Loudoun counties.

Contributed by Carol Nansel, Shenandoah Co. 4-H Extension Agent

Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.